Arab American Entrepreneur, Tom Barrack, Speaks at RNC
BY: Nisreen Eadeh/Staff Writer
Speaking at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday was famous Arab American businessman, Tom Barrack. The grandson of Lebanese immigrants, Barrack worked hard to become a real estate investor and eventually the founder, chairman, and CEO of Colony Capital. During his speech, Barrack pledged to only speak positively about Trump, and began with a glimpse into his childhood:
“I am the son of a very humble Lebanese grocer from Culver City, California. And I’m here because of the amazing, magic elixer that happened from the DNA of a thousand civilizations from the Levant, and the beauty and the wonder and the opportunity of America that puts all of us here in this rapture of the American dream that allowed me to be here tonight to talk about my friend, my partner, and the future president of the United States, Donald Trump.”
Barrack went on to talk about how he met Trump, who was once his competitor in the real estate industry. Barrack spoke cheerfully and eloquently about his friendship with Donald Trump, recalling two impactful memories with the presidential candidate.
Barrack’s presence was not only uplifting to the Arab American community, which rarely sees Arab Americans active in national politics, but was uplifting for the entire Republican party. The CEO spoke of unity and prosperity to the crowd, and encouraged them to make time for the “little guy,” saying that no matter how big a person gets, they must always remember their roots.